Dog biting fear in US: Aggressive San Diego pitbull shot after biting officer

A San Diego police officer shot a dog in the leg after it became aggressive and bit him twice near Balboa Park.

According to USA Today report, the incident occurred around 6:15 pm Monday as officers responded to complaints about transients causing a nuisance in the area near Balboa Park, San Diego Police said.

San Diego Police spokesperson said, officers were speaking to a man and a woman with an unleashed pitbull when the dog became agitated and attacked the officer. The officer fired two rounds from his service pistol to stop the attack, hitting the dog in the leg. The dog ran away but was found shortly after and taken to a veterinary hospital. The San Diego Humane Society assisted at the scene.

The dog will be taken into custody for further investigation and assessed for diseases. The officer, who sustained wounds on his lower leg, was transported to a local hospital and is currently recovering.

Lt. Christian Sharp of the San Diego Police defended the officer's actions, stating, "There is no time for less lethal. This officer is getting chopped down by the dog." Sharp emphasized the potential for significant injury had the officer not acted quickly.

An investigation is ongoing, and the two individuals with the unleashed dog were detained. They may face charges if it is determined they provoked the attack. No charges have been filed yet.

Dog attacks have been on the rise in the US, with the number of fatal incidents more than doubling in the past decade, according to the CDC. Despite this increase, there is ongoing debate among pet owners, lawmakers, and animal experts on how to address the issue.